The Albertinian choir
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The Albertinian choir

spiritual sanctuary

The Albertinian choir is at the head of the nave and traditionally the part of the church reserved for the clergy. The facts of how the Albertinian choir came into being are sketchy: only the laying of the foundation stone in 1304 and its completion and consecration in 1340 are documented. The latter is performed by Albert, Bishop of Passau, after whom this part of St. Stephen’s is named. Structural variations in its pillars and decorative features show that construction was probably interrupted several times. What is clear is that work on the 3-nave choir is finally completed under the energetic leadership of Duke Albert II. Incidentally he is supposed to have worked alongside the builders out of sheer enthusiasm (and lack of funds). The stonemasons working on the facade obviously had a vivid imagination, to which the gargoyles, appearing here as devils and hybrid beings, are testament.

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